How Andrzej Bargiel Became the First Person to Ski Down Everest

In September 2025, Polish ski mountaineer Andrzej Bargiel did something no one in the world had ever managed to pull off: he climbed Everest without bottled oxygen and then skied from the top of the world all the way down to Base Camp in one historic push. It wasn’t luck. It wasn’t a stunt. It was the result of years of preparation, world-class skill, and a mindset built for the death zone.

For anyone who loves mountains, whether you’re trekking to Everest Base Camp, climbing your first peak, or just obsessed with extreme adventure stories, this achievement feels unreal. Everest isn’t a “skiable” mountain in the traditional sense. The slopes are steep, the snow conditions change by the minute, and the Khumbu Icefall is one of the most dangerous sections on any mountain on Earth. Yet Bargiel turned all of that into one clean, continuous descent.

This is more than just another extreme sports headline. It’s a look into how far human ability, modern mountain tech, and pure determination can go when everything lines up. And for us here at Nepal Boundary Trekking Agency, stories like this remind us why the Himalaya continue to inspire the world, and how important it is to approach these mountains with respect, knowledge, and solid preparation.

What happened (quick facts)

• What: First recorded summit-to-base ski descent of Everest without bottled oxygen.
• When: September 2025 (summit and descent occurred around Sep 22–23, 2025).
• Why it’s huge: Skiing Everest at that altitude is exponentially harder than climbing it; doing so without supplemental oxygen multiplies the physiological risk.

Why was this considered nearly impossible

Everest already demands everything from a climber: cold, wind, crevasses, and above all, thin air. Add skis and you introduce new problems — balance, speed, and the need to make split-second navigation decisions while your body struggles for oxygen. The upper slopes and the Khumbu Icefall are riddled with seracs and shifting crevasses that can close or collapse without warning. Historically, only a handful of climbers have ever skied portions of Everest, and previous attempts either used oxygen or could not complete a full summit-to-base ski. Bargiel’s no-oxygen strategy raised the difficulty to an entirely different level.

The plan: how Bargiel set himself up to succeed

Bargiel didn’t improvise. This was a years-long project under his Hic Sunt Leones banner that layered experience from Shishapangma, Manaslu, Broad Peak, K2, and the Gasherbrums. His approach combined:

• Speed and efficiency: Moving quickly reduces exposure time in the “death zone” above 8,000 m.
• Minimal dependencies: No bottled oxygen meant lighter load but less physiological margin.
• Tech support: Drones and on-the-ground team coordination helped with route reconnaissance and real-time guidance through complex icefall terrain.

This mix of human skill, careful logistics, and tech assistance gave him a fighting chance against a mountain that breaks plans every season.

The summit push (16 hours in the death zone)

One of the most dramatic details from the expedition: Bargiel spent nearly 16 hours above 8,000 meters on his summit push and immediate descent. At that altitude, the body functions poorly, cognition slows, fine motor control degrades, and the risk of life-threatening altitude illness rises fast. He reached the summit, skied initial sections, then paused and rested at Camp II before carrying on through the Khumbu Icefall the following morning. That decision — to rest and recover before tackling the icefall- shows elite expedition judgment: push when you can, rest when you must.

The descent: why each section mattered

A summit-to-base ski is not one continuous “run.” Bargiel’s descent reads like a gauntlet of micro-challenges:

• Summit and upper pyramid: Thin air, steep pitch, and wind required precise, confident turns.
• Lhotse Face and South Col sections: Icy slopes where a mistake would have been catastrophic.
• Geneva Spur & Yellow Band: Mixed terrain where climbers often rope up, skiing here required precise route choice.
• Camp II rest & recovery: Strategic pause after the hardest section above 8,000 m.
• Khumbu Icefall: The final and most unpredictable obstacle, crevasses and seracs shift, so Bargiel’s team used drone visuals to help route him safely through. That drone-assisted navigation was a standout innovation on this expedition.

Gear and Tech That Mattered

Skiing on Everest needs bespoke equipment. Bargiel chose gear optimized for weight, floatation in deep snow, and control on ice. Key elements included:

• High-altitude skis & bindings designed for both uphill carriage and secure downhill control.
• Specialized boots that balance stiffness (for skiing) and mobility (for high-altitude step-kicking).
• Layering & extreme-cold clothing rated for -30°C to -40°C wind-chill.
• Safety tools — crevasse probes, boots that can handle long booting sections, and avalanche beacons.
• Drone reconnaissance: His brother piloted a drone to scout and guide through the Khumbu Icefall — a real game-changer.

What this means for mountain sport and trekking

Bargiel’s Everest ski descent shifts the conversation in three ways:

1. Pushing technical boundaries: What used to be a “no-go” area is now a tested possibility, raising the bar for elite ski-mountaineers.
2. Film and storytelling: Sponsors and filmmakers (think Red Bull and Nat Geo) will continue to amplify high-altitude adventure cinema, inspiring more people to visit the Himalaya responsibly.
3. Trekker interest & education: As headline feats make news, more trekkers ask smarter questions: how do teams manage crevasse danger? What safety systems exist? What is Khumbu’s real risk profile? That’s where responsible agencies (like Nepal Boundary Trekking Agency) come in — to translate spectacle into safe, educational, and unforgettable trekking experiences.

Safety & Etical Considerations

Bargiel’s feat attracted praise — and questions. Major points to keep in mind:

• Don’t copycat: This descent required decades of experience. It’s not a model for recreational ski trips.
• Respect local teams: Sherpas, high-altitude support staff, and ground teams provide essential, often under-acknowledged contributions.
• Environmental ethics: More high-profile missions draw attention (and footfall) to fragile environments; low-impact, leave-no-trace practices are essential.

For trekkers and would-be Everest visitors

If you dream of Everest or high Himalayan trekking, start with progressive experience: Annapurna Circuit → Everest Base Camp Trek → technical climbs.

• Hire licensed agencies with experienced guides and documented safety protocols. Nepal Boundary Trekking Agency runs professionally staffed treks and offers trip planning that prioritizes acclimatization, weather windows, and local partnerships.
• Learn basic glacier and crevasse awareness even as a trekker — it’ll make you safer and a better partner on an expedition.

Why Nepal Boundary Trekking Agency cares about feats like this

At Nepal Boundary Trekking Agency, we celebrate human achievement — but we also translate it into responsible adventure. Bargiel’s descent inspires us to improve safety briefings, invest in better client education, and push for more ethical filming and logistics standards in the Himalaya. If you’re dreaming of an Everest region trek or want a responsible, experienced operator to guide your Himalayan plans, we can help you plan a trip that’s safe, sustainable, and unforgettable.